Movie Reviews

CHIHULY IN THE HOTSHOP (DVD Set)

A Reader | 05/13/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In 2006 the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington, invited Chihuly to work in their state-of-the-art hotshop, an amphitheater specifically designed to allow the audience to watch the action close at hand. Chihuly's residency soon became the idea for this documentary as he set forth on an ambitious program that would reflect the sum total of his work in glass over the last thirty years. All thirteen of his best-known series were revisited along with more than forty artists and gaffers who had worked with Chihuly at the time of the inception of each series.

Open this two-part set to reveal a DVD and book. The small hardcover contains more than ninety images laid out to create a viewing experience from the attendee's perspective.

"Sadly Dale Chihuly does'nt blow much glass works himself anymore,due to a serious car accident,but he does help design some of the coolest looking glass works imaginable,sure he does look kinda likea mixture of Wavy Gravy and a pirate,but he IS hip!!! During this 90 min. program,watch magic being made,via very hot material,see some the best "gaffers"(not the movie type,okay!)make some very beautiful glass works!!! Get this before it goes out of print!!! And it look and sound good on Blu Ray Disc!!! Don't collect glass works myself,but I DO appiciate great art!!! Recommended for fans of Chihuly or just graet art in general!!! Igot this great disc for $9.99 new at find that quite a bargian!!! No extras here,not even sound options,just enjoy it for the great program it contains,and it's Blu Ray to boot!!! A+"

Great Video -- Lacks Depth/Detail

sharpie | Chicago, IL | 11/07/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased this Blu-ray because I have always been very interested in glass blowing and glass art. I previously researched Chihuly's work and observed various demonstrations of Chihuly and many other glass artists. I wanted more of that, and this Blu-ray did not disappoint.

The disc is composed of various chapters (I think 10), each focusing on a different glass piece that forms the basis for much of Chihuly's work (i.e., seaforms, machia, persian, baskets, etc.) Each chapter is filmed in the same demonstration auditorium with stadium style seating surrounding a large glass blowing area. I believe this auditorium is in the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington.

The video quality is excellent, with minor imperfections and noise in various places throughout. The audio quality is also great. The soundtrack is comprised of a very strange hodgepodge of mid-90's pop music -- very strange, but mildly entertaining.

I am giving the disc 4 out of 5 stars for one reason. There is simply not enough focus on what the artists are doing. There is very little explanation of the tools and techniques that are being used -- which is what I wanted. Chihuly narrates much of the video, providing a brief history of the particular piece, the people involved in its original creation, and what inspired him to start making them. Then, the rest is just soundtrack with various individuals creating the pieces (Chihuly himself no longer blows glass). There is simply not enough focus on the detail or technique for me. I'm not sure if this information is intentionally withheld as it may reveal Chihuly's secrets, but each segment left me wanting a whole lot more. Maybe I'm too accustomed to shows like How It's Made, which do a great job of explaining what is going on at all steps.

Corresponding with this lack of detail was a lack of actual camera time on the intricacies of the glass. For example, when pieces are finished, there is no final shot of the piece. You simply see the piece transferred into the cooling box and that's it. No final shot or pan around the piece.

All in all, the video feels more like a preview -- it lacks depth and detail. There is a lot more personal stories from Chihuly himself, rather than demonstration and explanation of the glass work. If I could have, I would have rented it and moved along. I don't think I will ever watch the video again for the next 10 years. That said, I still admire the artwork, the video quality of the disc, and substance covered throughout"

1st Class View of Some Extraordinary Glass Blowers....

pmsandiego | San Diego, CA, USA | 07/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw the original show on PBS last year, and immediately called all my friends to watch the repeats during the week. When I saw the Blu-Ray on a large screen in a Sony Style store, I had to have the disk myself.

I collect glass, blown and fused, and have made stained glass windows off and on for 30 years. I've watched glass blowing dozens of times, and have friends who are commercial glass artists. Dale Chihuly has never been one of my favorite glass artists, and own none of his designs, but I recognize his design talent and role in the studio movement.

What this video shows is not his technique [since he hasn't blow glass in decades], but his design work with some extraordinary glass artists you rarely see, including William Morris and Lino Tagliapietre, each of whom is a grand master glass blower.

If you want to watch this expecting to learn how to be a glass blower, you will be disappointed - if you want to see how the process of design is carried out into finished work by true experts, this DVD won't disappoint - I just recommend getting the Blu-Ray version, as the colors and sharpness are very good."

Incredible images

The Publisher | Seattle WA | 06/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The beautiful colors & fascinating techniques seen upclose have never been more crystal clear. Chihuly is AMAZING! I read the other review & I can tell you that there is a "wallpaper" DVD that is a Blu-ray title (shot in 1080P) of Chihuly's work - it is from the same company. It is called Chihuly In Moods. Another awesome title - your flat screen has never looked better!!